“Perhaps you might loan me that cat of yours, as well? I have a feeling I’m not the only inhabitant.” I gesture in the direction of the baseboard, which sports a mousehole large enough for Mickey.

Lindquist pokes her head through a door. “At least the bathroom’s new. Olle had the plumbers out last year, when his mother-in-law made noises about moving in.”

“His mother-in-law? From his first wife?”

“Let’s just say she remained a thorn in his side, even after poor Malina died. And of course she was still Leo’s grandmother. Luckily for Olle, she met a man from the south shore before she could move in, and married him instead.”

I run my finger along the edge of the dresser. “You know, I don’t believe you mentioned a stepson.”

“You never asked. Anyway, I try to stay out of Leo’s business. He’s a grown man. He doesn’t need me meddling in his private affairs.”

“Not the evil stepmother, are you?”

She folds her arms. “You know, you puzzle me, Miss Everett.”

“Me? Why, I’m an open book.”

“Call me vain, but I always thought that when somebody discovered me at last—and of course I knew somebody eventually would, I knew this blessed anonymity couldn’t go on forever—it would be somebody who admired me.”

“I admire you plenty.”

“Really? Because I sense the opposite. I sometimes have the peculiar feeling that you hate me, Miss Everett.”

“They’re not exclusive, you know. You can admire somebody without liking her especially. Besides, I don’t hate you.”

Lindquist laughs. “What would you call it, then? Resentment? A general cussedness at me and the world?”

I sit on the bed, stretch back my arms, and cross my legs. “Nothing like that all. It’s just that I’ve learned, in my years on this earth and especially behind the camera, not to trust the outward face a woman like you presents to the world. It’s usually the opposite of what lies inside.”

She nods. “Go on.”

“And in any case, I’m here to learn about Sam Mallory. So you’ll forgive me if I regard you as a possibly hostile witness. You’ve got your own reputation to protect, haven’t you? So I can’t allow myself to be blinded by that famous charisma of yours.”

“Charisma?” She sounds genuinely bemused.

“Oh, you’ve still got it, believe me.” I bounce one foot. “But I’ve got to remain objective.”